THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF THE

UNITED STATES
The United States is a federal union of 50 states, with the
District of Columbia as the seat of the national government.
The Constitution outlines the structure of the national
government and specifies its powers and activities. Other
governmental activities are the responsibility of the individual states,
which have their own constitutions and laws.
The President is the head of the state; he is chosen in a national
election for a four-year term and may be re-elected for a second term.
He must be a native-born citizen, at least 35 years old. His salary is
$200,000 a year, and he also gets an extra $50,000 for expenses; but
he must pay income tax on the whole amount. He receives up to
$100,000 tax-free for travel and $20,000 for official entertainment,
and is provided a home and extensive office space at the White
House.
 4) Can a citizen
of another
country become a
president?
3) What does the 5) What
Constitution minimum age
outline? must the
President be?

2) Where is the 6) What salary

seat of the national does he get per
government? year?

1) How many states

7) Does a president
does the USA consist
pay income tax?
of?
 THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERMENT
THE US CONSTITUTION
The framers of the Constitution, wanted to form a government that did not allow one person
to have too much power. They created a system of checks and balances. They separated the
government into three branches. The three branches are separate but equal. Each branch can
“check” the power of the other branches. The three branches work together to govern our nation.

LEGISLATIV EXECUTIVE JUDGIAL

E
LEGISLATIV EXECUTIVE JUDGIAL
(makes
E laws) (carries out laws) (evaluates laws)
 As head of the executive branch, the President:
- must carry out the government programmes
enacted into law by Congress.
- recommends programmes and laws to
Congress and requests money for federal
government operations.
- appoints federal judges, ambassadors and
hundreds of government officials, and assigns
duties to the elected Vice President.

If a President dies, resigns or becomes

permanently disabled, the Vice President
assumes the office until the next election.
 The Political System of the United States
Type of state A federal union of 50 states

Head of the state The President

President election A four-year term

The President must carry out the government

President’s responsibilities programmes enacted into law by the Congress.

Executive branch The President and the government

Legislative branch The Senate and the House of Representatives

Judicial branch The Supreme Court

 Correct the false statements.
Congress
1. The USA parliament is called the Verhovna Rada.

three
2. The USA power consists of two branches.

The Supreme Court

3. The Senate is the nation’s judicial body.

The President
4. The Congress appoints federal judges.